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APC Mock Draft 2014: San Diego Chargers Select Kyle Fuller

With the 25th pick in the Acme Packing Company Mock Draft, the San Diego Chargers select Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller.

Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Continuing on with the Acme Packing Company Mock Draft, we break down the 25th overall pick held by the San Diego Chargers.

Background

A three-year playoff drought final cost general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner their jobs following the Chargers' 2012 season. Left in their wake was a talented roster in need of a stronger directive. San Diego received exactly that with the arrival of Tom Telesco and Mike McCoy.

In his first year as Chargers headman, McCoy revitalized an offense that finished worst in the AFC a year earlier while also resurrecting the career of Philip Rivers. During his first five years as San Diego's starting quarterback, Rivers elevated himself to the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks. However, he regressed considerable during the Norv Turner years, leading many to wonder whether the Chargers might replace him. McCoy proved the perfect match for the fiery signal caller who completed nearly 70% of his passes and won Comeback Player of the Year honors.

San Diego's defense proved to be a bigger challenge. Opponents threw all over the Chargers in 2013, resulting in a 28th ranking in defensive passer rating and 29th in passing yards allowed. While San Diego possesses one of the league's premier safeties in Eric Weddle, the rest of the secondary appears overmatched and in need of help.

With the 25th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers select...

Name: Kyle Fuller

Position: Cornerback

School: Virginia Tech

Year: Senior

For the Chargers to break into the ranks of the title contenders, fixing their defense needs to be the top priority. Part of the solution needs to come from the front seven, but with Melvin Ingram returning from a torn ACL and the tandem of Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes coming into their own, there's already built in improvement. Because of where the value fell in this draft, San Diego is better served looking at secondary help.

On merit, Kyle Fuller shouldn't be on the board by the time the Chargers pick. However, every year we see a few players slip without a proper explanation. Fuller instantly becomes a starter for San Diego, playing mostly on the boundary. He might also take some snaps at safety in certain situations. His size and speed allow him to compete against most receivers, while his ball skills could help reverse a trouble low-turnover trend for the Chargers.

Round One Summary

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Houston Texans Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
2 St. Louis Rams (via WAS) Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
3 Jacksonville Jaguars Khalil Mack OLB Buffalo
4 Cleveland Browns Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
5 Oakland Raiders Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
6 Atlanta Falcons Greg Robinson OT Auburn
7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
8 Minnesota Vikings Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
9 Buffalo Bills Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
10 Detroit Lions Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
11 Tennessee Titans Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
12 New York Giants Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
13 St. Louis Rams Ha Ha Clinton-Dix S Alabama
14 Chicago Bears Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State
15 Pittsburgh Steelers Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
16 Dallas Cowboys Timmy Jernigan DT Florida State
17 Baltimore Ravens Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
18 New York Jets Odell Beckham, Jr. WR LSU
19 Miami Dolphins Zack Martin OT Notre Dame
20 Arizona Cardinals Dee Ford DE/OLB Auburn
21 Green Bay Packers C.J. Mosley ILB Alabama
22 Philadelphia Eagles Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
23 Kansas City Chiefs Marqise Lee WR USC
24 Cincinnati Bengals Bradley Roby CB Ohio State
25 San Diego Chargers Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Acme Packing Company. He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief for Hook'em Headlines. His work has previously appeared on Beats Per Minute, Lombardi Ave, and College Hoops Net.